"Loss is hard to convey."
Extremely powerful Hurricane Michael crashed into Florida's northwestern Panhandle coast on Wednesday, flooding towns and ripping up trees with 155 miles per hour(249 kph) winds and the potential for a devastating storm surge.
Michael, which had caught many by surprise with its rapid intensification as it churned north over the Gulf of Mexico, was the most powerful storm ever recorded to hit the Panhandle. It gathered still more strength just before making landfall northwest of the town of Mexico Beach on Wednesday afternoon as a Category 4 hurricane on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale. Its sustained winds were just 2 mph (3.2 kph) shy of being an extremely rare Category 5.
The storm, which caused a major disruption for oil and gas production in the Gulf, had the potential to drive seawater levels as high as 14 feet (4.3 meters) above normal in some areas, the National Hurricane Center said."My God, it's scary. I didn't expect all this," said Bill Manning, 63, a grocery clerk who left his camper van in Panama City to move into a hotel where the power eventually went out."Panama City, I don't know if there will be much left," he added.
1. Storm damaged boats
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In this aerial view, storm damaged boats are seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael on October 11, 2018 in Panama, City, Florida. Residents of the Florida Panhandle woke to scenes of devastation Thursday after Michael tore a path through the coastal region as a powerful hurricane that killed at least two people.
Photo Credits: AFP
2. Residents walk along the main street
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First responders and residents walk along the main street following Hurricane Michael in Mexico Beach, Florida, US, October 11, 2018.
Photo Credits: Reuters
3. Damaged building in Panama City
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A US flag flies in front of a building damaged by Hurricane Michael in Panama City, Florida, US October 11, 2018.
Photo Credits: Reuters
4. Overturned trailer home
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An overturned trailer home damaged by Hurricane Michael is pictured in Springfield, Florida, US October 11, 2018.
Photo Credits: Reuters
5. Roof of a house that has been blown
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A roof of a house that has been blown into the middle of the street is pictured following Hurricane Michael in Mexico Beach, Florida, US, October 11, 2018.
Photo Credits: Reuters
6. Transmission tower damaged by Hurricane Michael
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A transmission tower damaged by Hurricane Michael is seen in Callaway, Florida, US October 11, 2018.
Photo Credits: Reuters
7. Capsized boat during Hurricane Michael
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A boat that capsized during Hurricane Michael is seen next to the docks in Panacea, Florida on October 11, 2018. - The death toll from Hurricane Michael, which slammed into the Florida coast as a Category 4 storm, has risen to at least six in three states, US officials said on Thursday, October 11, 2018.
Photo Credits: AFP
8. Family Dollar Store that had the storefront ripped off
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The interior of a Family Dollar Store that had the storefront ripped off is seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael in Millville, Florida on October 11, 2018. - The death toll from Hurricane Michael, which slammed into the Florida coast as a Category 4 storm, has risen to at least six in three states, US officials said on Thursday, October 11, 2018.
Photo Credits: Reuters
9. Aftermath of Hurricane Michael
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A train is seen tipped over from storm winds in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael in Panama City, Florida on October 11, 2018. - The death toll from Hurricane Michael, which slammed into the Florida coast as a Category 4 storm, has risen to at least six in three states, US officials said on Thursday, October 11, 2018.
Photo Credits: AFP
10. Hurricane Michael slams into Florida
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A train is seen tipped over from storm winds in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael in Panama City, Florida on October 11, 2018. The death toll from Hurricane Michael, which slammed into the Florida coast as a Category 4 storm, has risen to at least six in three states, US officials said on Thursday, October 11, 2018.
Photo Credits: AFP
